ground blind v.s tree stand!

I use both. In East Texas we have plenty of large trees to utilize and I prefer to have hanging stands in place and use climbing stands for flexibility when the conditions dictate. We also do some hunting in West Texas where there are very few trees above six or eight feet tall so pop-ups or tripods are the only way we can go.

Unfortunately, like everything else hunting related there is no one perfect way to go and it is typically necessary to have more than one method. I have gathered quite a few ladder, hanging, climbing and pop-up stands and usually have a couple of each set-up at different places that I hunt throughout the cooler months of the year. Considering all of them I prefer a good hanging stand tucked back in a large oak tree with plenty of cover around me and some elevation to work with. For archery hunting the elevation is the key as far as I am concerned. I have killed quite a few out of pop-up blinds on MLD ranches over the past few years but I sure don't prefer them if I have other options available.
 
Cody pretty much covered it... where you have trees use them. I like ground blinds for turkey hunting and have killed lots of deer from them but I like the increased visibly a tree stand offers when chasing deer if available.
 
One thing to look at is scent control. I hunt west Tx and have no large trees, so most of our bow hunts are from ground blinds. Scents imo get dispersed at a higher elevation, which give you the upper hand. When your ground level your more likely to get "winded" Also movement is a plus on tree stands. Your more likely to get busted pulling back in a ground blind.Witht hat said though, I am not crazy about heights, so maybe I am better off on the ground.
 
i think i might set up in my ground blind i used for gun season last year! im gonna throw out some cmere deer and mineral licks in about a week! i also have some crab apples about 50 pounds frozen. I used to rub peanut butter with vanila abstract mixed all over the trees around it too! I just have to practice shooting sitting down because i dont want to get busted if i stand! My pile is 15 yards from me on the other side of the holler!
 
I've shot deer from both. I like to hunt fringes and sometimes there's not a tree for stand so I set up a ground blind. Be sure to set them up in advance though and leave them if you can. If you have wind or rain you could come to a stand that's blown away or collapsed...check out these products on Cabela's site, they solve that problem and fit right in you blind bag:

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Have have killed my two biggest buck sitting on the bank of the creek leaning against a tree in full camo. No blind, not stand just me on the ground and I'm not little.. If you play the wind right, stay still and can keep from getting buck fever it works. I had a blind and it worked great for covering scent in the wind. I've had does come up and poke their head inside while I was in there, but it was a little too confined for drawing my bow with a 30" draw length. Tree stands are awesome and I have a couple up, but I'm not big on heights. I just go to which ever side of the creek the winds not coming from and try to stay still as possible.
 
I prefer a tree stand when a good site is available. That said I have killed deer out of brush blinds, commercial blinds, or just sitting on a three legged stool backed up against a tree or brush. I let the situation determine how I hunt it. I have often gone in to hunt a tree stand and the wind will shift. I will get down and hunt off the ground instead of getting busted by the deer I am trying to hunt. often throwing together a simple ground blind.

drscott
 
Originally Posted By: cbosshog79I use both. In East Texas we have plenty of large trees to utilize and I prefer to have hanging stands in place and use climbing stands for flexibility when the conditions dictate. We also do some hunting in West Texas where there are very few trees above six or eight feet tall so pop-ups or tripods are the only way we can go.

Unfortunately, like everything else hunting related there is no one perfect way to go and it is typically necessary to have more than one method. I have gathered quite a few ladder, hanging, climbing and pop-up stands and usually have a couple of each set-up at different places that I hunt throughout the cooler months of the year. Considering all of them I prefer a good hanging stand tucked back in a large oak tree with plenty of cover around me and some elevation to work with. For archery hunting the elevation is the key as far as I am concerned. I have killed quite a few out of pop-up blinds on MLD ranches over the past few years but I sure don't prefer them if I have other options available.

couldn't have said it better myself

I will add this about blinds in the south east. If you want deer in bow range where I hunt, you need to brush in the blind very well. I see videos of western and Midwestern deer being hunted and killed from blinds with no cover. We get immediate negative reaction from deer if they are not well hid. I guess if you leave them in the same spot long enough the deer will get used to them. Here is a typical popup for us.





We also do well with just a quickie pile brush to hide in:



 
I had a blind and used it for a season or two then gave it away to a friend. By the time I got it brushed in to the point I thought it would work, it took me longer than hanging a stand. I didn't like the view from them either, you just can't see as much from them as you can from 20 ft up. They do keep you out of the elements which is nice, especially in winter.

It really just depends where you hunt. If you have more open areas go for it. If you're in a big oak woods, stand is the way to go IMO.
 
I like the pics weekender posted. I set a blind up last weekend between 2-15' cedars. When we were done it's nearly invisible from 30 yds. Floor is almost completely dirt since grass doesn't grow under the cedars. I think loose dirt is good cause you can stir it up with stick or feet when you get in to help cover your scent. I also break a couple cedar limbs as scent cover too when I get in blind. This year my 13 year old will be bow hunting for his first time so I'll have him in blinds mostly for safety. I shot my first Kansas whitetail out of blind last year. It was a spot I couldn't get stand in. I've decided this year that I'll have atleast 3 ground blinds out in my honey holes so no matter what the weather...I'll be able to hunt. Can't sit in tree when it's too cold or misting but can set in blind. Last year was first time I realized how good they can be for archery hunting deer. I do agree that masking them in is important.
 
I use both climbers and blinds. Have killed more deer from climbers mainly because been using em for 40 years. But, I do see lots of deer from my blind. I always put it up about 2 weeks and leave it till sean is done and deer st ignore it.
 
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